Rules, comparisons and data

What IELTS score do you need for the Accredited Employer Work Visa?

An overall IELTS score of 4 or more, but only if your job is at ANZSCO or NOL skill level 3 to 5. Immigration New Zealand sets no English requirement for skill level 1 or 2 roles, or for the partner and children you support. You can also meet it through citizenship with 5 years' work or study, or a degree from an English-speaking country.
  • Guide updated · 30 October 2026
  • 3 sections
  • IELTS
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Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026

Minimum scores for skill level 3 to 5 jobs

INZ says the AEWV minimum English requirement now also applies to skill level 3 occupations (INZ). Immigration New Zealand accepts seven tests: IELTS General or Academic, IELTS One Skill Retake, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, B2 First, B2 First for Schools and OET. You must sit the test in person at a test centre, at-home tests are not accepted, and the result must be no more than 2 years old when you apply.

TestMinimum (principal applicant)
IELTS (General or Academic)Overall 4 or more
TOEFL iBTOverall 31 or more
PTE AcademicOverall 29 or more
B2 First / B2 First for SchoolsOverall 142 or more
OETGrade D or higher in all 4 skills

Meeting it without a test

You meet it if you are a citizen of Canada, Ireland, the UK or the US and have spent at least 5 years working or studying in one of those countries or in Australia or New Zealand; if you have a qualification comparable to a NZ level 7 bachelor's degree from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the US and lived there at least 2 years while studying; or a level 8 or above qualification from one of those countries with at least 1 year living there.

You do not need to show English again if you already did it for a previous AEWV, or if your AEWV expires on or before 1 December 2026 and you are applying for another AEWV at skill level 3.

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Before you book

Find your role's ANZSCO or NOL skill level first: if it is 1 or 2, no test is needed. If you later aim for residence, the skilled residence requirement is higher; see IELTS for the NZ Skilled Migrant Category.

Rules change, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current requirement on the INZ AEWV English page before you book a test or apply. This guide restates the official page; it is not legal or immigration advice.

Frequently asked questions

Is IELTS General Training accepted for an AEWV?+

Yes. INZ lists the IELTS General or Academic module, plus IELTS One Skill Retake.

Does my partner need IELTS for a partner work visa?+

No. INZ says there are no English requirements for the partner and dependent children an AEWV holder is eligible to support.

Can I use an at-home test?+

No. Tests taken outside a test centre are not acceptable.

Is PTE Core accepted?+

No. INZ's list names PTE Academic only.

How old can my IELTS result be?+

No more than 2 years old when you apply.

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Related

Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

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